1 Ordering from seed catalogs can be daunting, but the advantages are many - there are more choices, it's easier to find heirloom varieties, there's more information on each variety written in the catalogs, and catalog seed ordering aids in heirloom seed saving.

2 John Scheepers has been around for more than a century. I ordered vegetable seeds from John Scheepers, such as sugar snap peas, cauliflower, celery, and turnips. I also ordered a collection of flower seeds. It may not be possible to get all the seeds you want from one catalog, so peruse several before making any final decisions. https://www.johnscheepers.com

3 The Natural Gardening Company is the oldest certified organic nursery in the United States. Along with specific information on the seeds they offer, this catalog also provides notes for planting and harvesting. Catalogs often offer valuable gardening advice designed for the seeds they sell. http://www.naturalgardening.com

4 This year, I ordered several packets of vegetable seeds from The Natural Gardening Company. I mentioned in an earlier blog that I am focusing on fewer varieties of each vegetable, and planting more types of vegetables.

5 Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offers hundreds of varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, grain and cover crop seeds. Although they focus varieties that grow well in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, growers and gardeners from across the country use their seeds. When reviewing seed catalogs, consider your location, so you can get the seeds that will grow best in your area.

6 I ordered a selection of vegetable seeds from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Many catalogs also have web sites with helpful information ad online ordering options. http://www.southernexposure.com

7 Kitazawa Seed Company is the oldest seed company in America that specializes in Asian vegetable seeds. When ordering seeds for vegetables you haven't yet grown, pay close attention to the needs of those plants to be sure your garden can accommodate them. http://www.kitazawaseed.com

8 Look at all the vegetable varieties I ordered. One of the nicest things about ordering from seed catalogs is the vast amount of choices - this allows you to try new vegetable varieties.

9 I've been a customer of Seed Savers Exchange for many years. This company has been supporting the preservation and utilization of heirloom varieties since 1975. They encourage participatory preservation through a Seed Savers Exchange program, which helps to keep heirloom varieties circulating among gardeners and farmers. http://www.seedsavers.org

10 I ordered seeds for several corn varieties, as well as seeds for beans, eggplant and flowers.

11 Do you know... decorative seed packets are also popular collecting items? Most collectors hunt down antique seed packets, but many companies still make their envelopes decorative and fun - it's always a joy to see these packets come in the mail. http://www.seedsavers.org

12 Floret is owned by our 2014 American Made finalist, Erin Benzakein. She grows organic flowers, designs arrangements, and hosts workshops from her Washington State farm. Although Floret doesn't sell seeds, it's partnering with floral experts to make its flowers available for shipping. Read more in the May 2015 issue of Martha Stewart Living or on our web site. http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/93619/design/floret

13 Sow True Seed is a small company located in Asheville, North Carolina that provides open-pollinated, heirloom and organic vegetable, herb and flower seeds to home gardeners and growers. http://sowtrueseed.com

14 Sow True Seed sends their packets in these charming little tins. I ordered seeds for certain tomato varieties, some pole beans, hot peppers and even watermelon. Another important tip is to know how much space you have to plant. Make sure you have enough room before ordering seeds.

15 I also ordered seeds for radishes, squash, cucumbers, beets, parsley, and turnips.

16 Siskiyou Seeds is owned by the family run Seven Seeds Farm in Williams, Oregon. Seven Seeds Farm grows certified organic seed. Ordering from seed catalogs allows you to choose how your seeds are grown, and whether they are treated with chemicals. I ordered several corn seeds from Siskiyou Seeds. http://www.siskiyouseeds.com

17 Johnny's Selected Seeds is a privately held, employee-owned organic seed producer in Winslow, Maine. It offers hundreds of varieties of organic vegetable, herb, flower, fruit and farm seeds. The selection of seeds is so vast, it was hard to choose when this catalog came in. http://www.johnnyseeds.com

18 Many of my seeds have come from Johnny's Selected Seeds over the years. This year, I got lots of vegetable seeds from Johnny's.

19 I'm so excited to see how all these vegetables do in my garden this year.

20 Irish Eyes Garden Seeds is another small, family-owned business. Located on 150 certified organic acres in Ellensburg, Washington, Irish Eyes Garden Seeds grows, harvests and distributes seeds for hundreds of variety of vegetables. They are best known for their potatoes and garlic seeds. http://irisheyesgardenseeds.com